Washington State Vulnerable (Street) User bill

[Biciclista]

Traffic Justice Summit
Wednesday, Oct. 14, 5:30 - 7:30
Seattle City Hall, Bertha Knight Landis Room

Each year in Washington State, nearly 500 pedestrians and bicyclists are killed or critically injured by motor vehicles. Almost none of these drivers are ever held accountable.

In the vast majority of cases, these collisions were found to be the direct consequence of moving violations like speeding, driving while texting, talking on the phone, failing to yield the right of way or just not paying attention. A traffic ticket is the worst the driver can expect if they run you over.

Do you think something is wrong with this picture? We do.

It's time to change the law. Come find out how you can be part of the movement to pass Washington State's Vulnerable User law in January 2010. Hear from your elected officials, prosecuting attorneys, advocates and victims on how this law can help protect vulnerable roadway users.

Have you, as a cyclist or a pedestrian, had a collision with a car? Have you lost a loved one in such a tragic manner? If you'd like to get involved, your help is needed. Your firsthand stories can make all the difference to pass the Vulnerable User Bill.

[Biciclista]

this is from the Cascade Bike club

[Kalidurga]

I like that term, "vulnerable street user". And the fact that it encompasses pedestrians and cyclists would hopefully make it more amenable to car drivers (or "less-vulnerable street users"). We're all pedestrians once we step outside of our cars or off of our bikes, so that's the element that binds together all of the user groups. Perhaps that realization can help cut through all the polarization between cyclists and drivers.

It'll be interesting to see what happens with this bill.

[Biciclista]

the state of Oregon recently passed one like this.

[Onix]

Austin was working towards passing a 3 feet passing rule in regards to vulnerable road users.... passed in the house, senate....

and then was vetoed by our jerky governor, Rick Perry.... ugh.

Now we have to start the lobbying all over again

Good luck to you and your city!

[Grog]

Each year in Washington State, nearly 500 pedestrians and bicyclists are killed or critically injured by motor vehicles. Almost none of these drivers are ever held accountable.

This is INSANE! I cannot find updated data, but for the whole of Canada (about 30 million people, compared to about 6.5 millions for Washington State) it's about that, or less (about 350 cyclists and 50 pedestrians killed/year for 30 million people).

I don't think I'll cycle south of the border anymore...

[wackyjacky1]

Austin was working towards passing a 3 feet passing rule in regards to vulnerable road users.... passed in the house, senate....

and then was vetoed by our jerky governor, Rick Perry.... ugh.

Now we have to start the lobbying all over again

Good luck to you and your city!

And yesterday a husband and wife were killed while riding their tandem on a broad shoulder of the road in Helotes. They were struck from behind by a pickup truck that had swerved onto the shoulder due to "driver inattention." They leave behind a 7-year old daughter. No charges to be filed against the driver because of how the law currently reads.

Link: Tandem bicyclists die in pickup accident

Thank you, Gov. Perry.

[SLash]

I live in Oklahoma and in 2006 we passed a 3 foot law but it is pretty weak. A cyclist has to be injured or killed for there to be a consequence, and then it is only a fine - $500 if the cyclist is seriously injured and $1000 if the cyclist is killed.

Complete the Streets is an organization whose mission is to make the streets safe and work for pedestrians, cyclists, people with disabilities, children, etc.

Their website is: www.completestreets.org

[Biciclista]

Looks like Texas needs a better law too.
Hopefully their family will sue in civil court.